Shoe-stretcher.



No; 668,505. Patented m. l9, l90l.

' n. .DOUGLASS.

SHOE STBETGHER.

(Application filed Apr. 2, 1900.)

(No Model.)

Thus/box- ROWLAND DOUGLASS, OF TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO FREDERICK T. MAYNARD, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

SHOE-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 668,505, dated February 19, 1901. Application filed April 2, 1900. fierial No. 11,198. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROWLAND DOUGLASS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Traverse City, in the county of Grand Traverse and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe- Stretchers, of which the following is a.speci-. fication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

to The invention has particular reference to a shoe-stretcher provided with means for preventing the last from slipping when within the shoe during the operation of stretching; and the present invention consists in a novel type of holding device and in the peculiar construction, arrangement, and combination of its various parts, as will be more fully hereinafter described, and shown in the d rawings, in which Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the shoestretcher, showing it as applied to a shoe. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my improved stretcher. Fig. 3 isa sectional view of the last, illustrating the spreading mechanism;

and Fig. tis a section through the adjusting mechanism for the holding device.

The reference-letter A designates a divided last of ordinary construction, comprising the complementary members B and C, hinged to 0 each other at the heel. The members are provided with the usual complementary grooves D and with lateral openings E, as shown.

The mechanism for spreading the last members consists, essentially, of a threaded rod 5 or screw F, having a handle or head G at its outer end. The screw extends within the last, engaging the usual screw-threaded nut H within the openings E, Fig. 3, and carrying at its free end the wedge-shaped head I, which is swiveled to the rod in the usual manner. The head I when moved forwardly by the turning of the screw spreads the last members in the ordinary manner. My improved holding device for securing the last within the shoe comprises a yoke J, threaded upon the rod F, a link K, the ends of which are pivoted to the yoke at L L, and

a second link or arm M, which in turn has a pivotal connection with the link K. The

latter link is adapted to extend upon opposite sides of the shoe, as shown in Fig. 1, and

to project some distance beyond the depending heel O. The arm projects rearwardly from its support and bears directly against the front of the heel, thus preventing any backward movement of the last.

In order that the stretcher may be readily applied to shoes of different types and of various sizes, I have provided means for adjusting the holding device upon its support in order that the link or arm M may be properly fitted to the heel to lock the last from endwise movement.

The adjusting mechanism referred to is in the form of a nut Q, which has a threaded engagement with the rod F and is swiveled to or within the yoke J. By turning the nut the yoke and connected links supported thereby may be shifted to or from the shoe, as desired.

While I have shown and described the holding device as applied to the heel of the shoe, it is to be understood that my invention includes mechanism of any type capable of engaging the exterior of the shoe and carried or supported by the last-operating mechanism.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In ashoe-stretcher, the combination with the last, mechanism for actuating the last in the shoe, and means for preventing the back slipping of the last Within said shoe, compris- 8o ing a rigid holding device carried by the actuating mechanism and constructed to engage the exterior of the shoe.

2. A shoe-stretcher consisting of a last, an actuating mechanism therefor, a frame or bar 8 5 carried by the actuating mechanism, and means for rigidly connecting said frame or bar to the exterior of the shoe.

3. In a shoe-stretcher, the combination with a divided last, an operating device for spread- 0 ing the last members, and means for holding the last within the shoe, said means being supported by the operating device and constructed to engage the depending heel of the shoe.

4. Inashoe-stretcher, the combination with a divided last, an operating device for spreading the last members, and means for holding the last within the shoe during the operation of stretching comprising a yoke carried by I00 the operating device and connected links supported by the yoke o;ne of said links being adapted to bear against the depending heel ing from the yoke, one of which is adapted to m of the shoe. bear against the heeltof the shoe, and means 5. Inashoe-stretcher, the combination with for adjusting the yoke upon its support. a divided last, an operating device forspread- In testimony whereof I aflix my signature 5 ing the last members, mechanism forprevent- I in presence of two witnesses.

ing the slipping of the last within the shoe during, the operation of stretching, compris- \V'itnesses: ing a yoke adjustably secured upon the op- A. J. MAYNARD, crating device, and connected links depend- H. J. GASAHL.

ROWLAND DOUGLASS. 

